Physical Science - Chapter 17.4

✨ 🩰 ✧･ﾟ: Unit 6: Electricity — Section 4: Electrical Circuits :･ﾟ✧ 🎀 ✨

An electric circuit is a closed path or loop that allows an electric current to flow.

Every circuit must have:

🩰 Energy Source: The "power" behind the movement (e.g., batteries, generators, or outlets).
🩰 Load: The "performer" doing the work (e.g., a light bulb, computer, or car). The change in energy.
🩰 Wire: The "stage" or conductor that connects the source to the load.
Optional: Switch (to open/close the flow) or a Fuse (for safety).

In this layout, current follows one single path in a continuous loop.

✨ The Rule: Every load receives the same current.
✨ The Catch: If one part breaks, the whole circuit stops—just like a broken string of old Christmas lights.
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✨ Pros: Cheaper to make and uses less energy.
✨ Best For: Burglar alarms or safety fuses where you want everything to shut off if one part is disturbed.

Here, the current divides into two or more paths before coming back together.

✨ The Rule: Each branch receives the same voltage and can work independently.
✨ The Benefit: If one bulb goes out, the rest keep shining! This is how houses are wired.
✨ Pros: Bulbs are brighter and the circuit is longer-lasting.
✨ Cons: More expensive to build and uses more energy.

Circuit failures like short circuits (current bypasses the load) or overloading (too many loads) can cause wires to overheat and start fires.

Your Safety Essentials:

🎀 Fuse: Contains a small metal strip that melts to break the circuit if the current gets too high. Once it melts, it must be replaced.
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🎀 Circuit Breaker: A switch that automatically opens when it detects too much current. Unlike a fuse, you just flip the switch to reset it.
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🎀 GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter): A tiny, sensitive breaker used in "wet areas" like bathrooms or kitchens to prevent electrical shocks. Just press the reset button to close the circuit again.
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“Stay grounded and keep your inner light shining!” 🩰✨